RAM 3500 · model year

2026 RAM 3500

11 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2026RAM3500 carries 11 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2026 3500 is electrical system with 4 filings, followed by engine (2) and service brakes, hydraulic (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2026 3500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

11 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
ENGINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
POWER TRAIN1
SERVICE BRAKES1

Recalls (3)

25V53000018/08/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

26V05900002/02/2026

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights

25V82600001/12/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply

Recent Complaints

20260213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 times in less than 4000 miles my 2026 trucks abs, cruise control, skid control, and check engine warnin07g lights have come on. I then have no anti-lock system, no cruise control, no 4-wheel drive, and no anti-skid system. Code reads-U1412. The dealer has replaced the rear speed sensors and it continues to happen. My truck is currently at the dealer in the service bay as I can't drive it. I've researched this and it's happened to many who have purchased this truck.

20260212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "DANGER" warning light flashed repeatedly and extremely fast on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. An engineer inspected the vehicle; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced a recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260212SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The message "DANGER" warning light flashed repeatedly and extremely fast on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. An engineer inspected the vehicle; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced a recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260211SERVICE BRAKES

I made appointment online at Hadadd Dodge to repair this. They said they could only order 1 set if parts per week and they have to repair the trucks on the lot first then will get to us. They canceled the appointment and put us on a waiting list. I made them aware we tow a 5th wheel trailer frequently with this truck.

20260108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Trucks DEF Gauge malfunctioning goes from full, to half, to full, to empty, and then warns about going into limp mode. Filled with DEF and still doing it. Took in for repairs, company said they fixed it, but within 3 miles gauge was doing the same thing. This is a hazard as it will put the truck in limp mode. Known issue with many complaints, needs fixed

20260108UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Trucks DEF Gauge malfunctioning goes from full, to half, to full, to empty, and then warns about going into limp mode. Filled with DEF and still doing it. Took in for repairs, company said they fixed it, but within 3 miles gauge was doing the same thing. This is a hazard as it will put the truck in limp mode. Known issue with many complaints, needs fixed

20260108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Trucks Navigation and GPS stopped working. Took to dealer for repairs, could not replicate the issue. They brought the truck back to me, and upon starting it the GPS/Navigation is not working. Other than the navigation, more systems work off the gps and needs to be functioning. Have multiple videos of nav not working, and dealer still stated that wasn't enough to determine there was an issue.

20260108POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, 4WD, ABS, park sensors, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the speed sensor for the rear wheels; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission failed to recognize that the gear selector was in park(P). Roadside Assistance arrived and unplugged the battery cables to turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was waiting for engineers to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 458.

Mileage: 458

20260108ENGINE

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, 4WD, ABS, park sensors, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the speed sensor for the rear wheels; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission failed to recognize that the gear selector was in park(P). Roadside Assistance arrived and unplugged the battery cables to turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was waiting for engineers to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 458.

Mileage: 458

20260108SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2026 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, 4WD, ABS, park sensors, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the speed sensor for the rear wheels; however, the failure persisted, and the transmission failed to recognize that the gear selector was in park(P). Roadside Assistance arrived and unplugged the battery cables to turn off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was waiting for engineers to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 458.

Mileage: 458

20251223ENGINE

Purchased the truck new with 25 miles on it from the dealer. Within the first 2000 miles, I had a message pop up that said "Service Exhaust System See Dealer". I took it in to the dealer, they said it showed a random emission related code had popped up but was not currently active, so their recommendation was to clear it and see if it came back. Within a day, the message was back and tripped a check engine light. I also noticed after the first 1000 miles, my fuel mileage dropping off significantly around the time the "Service Exhaust System" message first appeared. (I went from 18-19 mpg average, to 12-14 mpg average, driving the same commute to and from work, in the same conditions.) I have noticed unusually high temperatures in the exhaust at times, excessive fuel consumption, excessive DEF consumption, and am concerned about the potential for damage to the DPF or DEF system. I took the truck to my local dealer for diagnosis and repairs. They called me to say that the problem

Compare 2026RAM3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2026 RAM 3500 have?
The 2026 RAM 3500 has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2026 RAM 3500?
Yes, the 2026 RAM 3500 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 RAM 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2026 RAM 3500 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2026 RAM 3500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.